JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 18, 2011) - The ETSU men's and women's basketball teams will return home for a key stretch of games beginning on Friday night and the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced some exciting promotions for these events.

During the upcoming six-day stretch of ETSU basketball games starting on January 21 through Jan. 26, fans will be encouraged to come to all six games. At each game, fans will need to visit the marketing and promotions tables near the entrances to fill out the appropriate color form for that day's event.

ETSU athletics will then host a drawing on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. when the Lady Bucs host USC Upstate to see who will earn the title of 6th Man Mega Fan. A winner will be chosen from the collected names that have been to at least five or more games during this home stretch. The winner will be rewarded two round trip tickets (Continental U.S.) from American Airlines.

In addition, there will also be other promotions scheduled for many of these upcoming games. The January 22nd Lady Bucs game against Lipscomb will feature a FREE post-game clinic for children 12 and under that will be hosted by Coach Kemp and the Lady Bucs. The game begins at 1:30 p.m. and the clinic will begin approximately 15 minutes after the game is over. In addition, there will be a FREE giveaway for the first 100 participants in the clinic. Participants should sign in at any of the entrances prior to the start of the clinic.

On January 23rd, the Bucs will host Belmont for "Bruise the Bruins" at 4 p.m. All healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, EMTs) get in for a $1 with proper identification. Then, Jan. 24th at 7 p.m. the Lady Bucs will host Belmont for ETSU Faculty and Staff Appreciation. ETSU employees that show an ETSU ID will get in for a $1.

The key home stand will continue on Jan. 29th as both the Lady Bucs and Bucs host Kennesaw State in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. It will be American Heroes Day - all police, fire, EMS, security, US Military, all get in for a $1 with proper identification.

To cap off the long home stand, the Lady Bucs and Bucs will host Mercer on Jan. 31st beginning at 4:45 p.m. for "Book the Bears Day." Fans that donate a new or fairly new children's book will receive admission for just a $1. All of the books will be donated to the Reach Out and Read site, with ETSU Physicians and Associates.

For more information on ETSU athletics please go to ETSUBucs.com. Also, be sure to follow ETSU Athletics on Facebook and Twitter.

ETSU upcoming promotions

Jan. 21-26th- The 6th Man Mega Fan - All six games - Encourage fans to support the Bucs and the Lady Bucs during this stretch of games.

Jan. 22nd - Coach Kemp and the Lady Bucs will be hosting a FREE post game clinic for children 12 and under. The clinic will begin approximately 15 minutes after the Lady Bucs vs. Lipscomb game on Saturday. FREE giveaway for the first 100 participants in the clinic.

$50 cash giveaway to a lucky ETSU student

Jan. 23rd - Bucs vs. Belmont "Bruise the Bruins"

All Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, EMT) get in for a BUC $1 with proper ID

Jan. 24th - Lady Bucs vs. Belmont

ETSU Faculty and Staff Appreciation - Show ETSU ID and get in for a BUC $1

$50 cash giveaway to a lucky ETSU student

Jan. 29th - Doubleheader vs. Kennesaw State

American Heroes Day- Police, Fire, EMS, Security, US Military all get in for a BUC $1 with proper ID.

Jan. 31st - Doubleheader vs. Mercer

Book the Bears Day- we encourage fans to donate a new or fairly new children's book and receive a BUC $1 general admission. All the books will be donated to the Reach Out and Read site, with ETSU Physicians and Associates

As a Reach Out and Read site, ETSU Physicians and Associates - Pediatricians is helping to prepare East Tennessee's youngest children to succeed in school by promoting early literacy, providing books, and encouraging families to read aloud every day. Studies show that children served by physicians affiliated with Reach Out and Read have larger vocabularies, high comprehension skills, and more deeply engaged parents who are four times more likely to incorporate reading aloud with their children into their daily routines. According to the National Commission on Reading, literacy is the ‘single most significant factor' affecting a child's success in school. Please come out to see the ETSU Bucs take on the Mercer University Bears on January 31st and bring new children's books to support ETSU Pediatricians in their efforts to ensure children start school prepared to learn, read, and excel.